The expressive hands on the cover of November’s Limelight belong to Benjamin Northey, who is poised to become the first-ever Professor of Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In an illuminating conversation with Limelight‘s Editor-at-Large Clive Paget, the popular conductor traces his career, discusses different approaches to the podium and explains what he hopes to impart to his students.

Opera Australia, the nation’s largest performing arts company, has once again proved to be a wellspring of internal drama – of, dare we say, operatic proportions – sending ripples far beyond those lapping at Bennelong Point. Having followed the saga closely, Peter Tregear ponders the three key recent senior appointments at OA – Music Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board – in a feature about the company’s tumultuous recent history and the plans being made to secure its future.

Also in this issue, we hear directly from one of those appointments – OA’s new Music Director, Andrea Battistoni. Speaking candidly to Limelight Print Editor Jo Litson, the Italian conductor shines a light on the challenges...